Given its precarious geo-strategic position, perched on the edge of the Mediterranean, it is hardly surprising that Israel places a premium on all aspects of intelligence gathering, both within and beyond the atmosphere. Research and development funding is increasingly being focused on providing more capable space-based reconnaissance satellites, with improved high resolution payloads.
Maj Gen Isaac Ben-Israel, head of the research and development in the Israeli defence ministry says: "Our effort in space will grow in the coming years."
One of the drivers behind increasing R&D emphasis on space-based sensor systems is the growing need for the ability to counter potential regional ballistic missile threats. The past decade has seen the proliferation of ballistic missile technologies in the region, and the Iraqi Al Hussein (a modified Scud) attacks on Israeli during the Gulf War sharply delineated the threat.
The most high profile of the Israeli Defence Force's (IDF) efforts to deal with the ballistic missile threat is the Israel Aircraft Industries Arrow interceptor.
Ben-Israel says that, with recent defence ministry approval for the Arrow until 2010, further developments can be studied, including extending intercept range.
Another system in development which may eventually grow to provide a lower tier anti-ballistic missile weapon is the Nautilus laser, being developed by TRW with Israel as an anti-Katyusha weapon. Ben-Israel says it will eventually also be able to engage short range ballistic missiles.
Ben-Israel adds: "The planned tests in the USA and Israel are successful. We see the system having the potential to serve also as a anti aircraft weapon system." In the last two years, Israel has been engaged in a study of boost phase intercept.
The USA is providing funding for the Nautilus risk reduction study. "The USA has allocated another $10 million for the study in next year's budget. This is an ambitious project and we will have to weigh up carefully whether to invest in the development of such a system," Ben-Israel adds.
Extended range target location and acquisition is also a focus for R&D expenditure, although Ben-Israel declines to discuss in detail some of the areas being explored. "Every option is being evaluated to achieve the ranges needed for the mission of locating targets such as ballistic missiles and destroying them," he says.
Ben-Israel also flags up the country's substantial investment in the development and acquisition of precision guided air to surface weaponry as a continuing focus for R&D investment.
The Rafael Popeye TV/Infrared air launched stand-off weapon is one unclassified example of such a weapon. "Our effort "says Ben-Israel, "is now to make these systems more affordable so that we can deploy a greater number of them. This effort involves the development of cheaper homing sensors and other components."
Source: Flight International